KBR Partner Jonathan Bruno successfully defeated a plaintiff’s appeal of the dismissal of his federal civil rights lawsuit.  The plaintiff, who had been embroiled in a divorce and custody dispute with his ex-wife, sued KBR’s client, an attorney who was appointed as law guardian for plaintiff’s daughter.  During the custody dispute, the plaintiff sought unsuccessfully to have KBR’s client disqualified as law guardian.  After the custody dispute ended, the plaintiff sued his ex-wife, her lawyers, KBR’s client and several state court judges who presided over the custody dispute.  The plaintiff alleged, among other things, that KBR’s client violated his constitutional rights, the New York State Judiciary Law, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.  After KBR successfully moved to dismiss the complaint, the plaintiff appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  The Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal.

(Zahl, United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, Case No. 11-1512)